A MOTORIST has vowed to “keep an eye” on Bexley Council’s CCTV cars after he caught one parking illegally.

Andy Murphy, 49, photographed the car overhanging a parking bay on August 17 at around 5.30pm, in Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath.

The father-of-three said: “A member of the public parking in the same position would have certainly got a ticket.

“I wonder why it is that a council whose responsibility it is to uphold the parking regulations should allow this to happen.

“It could be one rule for them and one rule for us.”

News Shopper: Mr Murphy photographed the car in Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath Mobile In-car Camera Enforcement (MICE) cars use CCTV to catch people parking illegally across the borough.

A Penalty Charge Notice is then issued to the owner of the vehicle through the post.

Mr Murphy, of Morvale Close, Belvedere, was fined £50 by the council for parking in a bus stop on Christmas Eve last year, in Nuxley Road, Belvedere.

He had to pay £100 after losing an appeal.

News Shopper: Andy Murphy Mr Murphy, a manager for a haulage company, said: “They should make him pay £100 like everyone else.

“I get annoyed like anyone else does when someone is parked in a stupid position but that includes the camera cars. They shouldn’t do it anymore than we should.

“I shall be keeping an eye on them.”

A council spokeswoman said: “We would expect the operators to park properly and we will be taking this matter up with the contractor.

“By law, councils are required to enforce parking restrictions, the majority of which exist because residents have asked for them. Last year, for example, over 60 residents made requests for new parking restrictions.”

She added: “It is particularly worth remembering that MICE vehicles are an important tool in keeping residents safe, especially around schools and bus stops.

“Not only are people who park in bus stops lengthening journey times - they are forcing passengers to step into the carriageway when getting on or off a bus.”